11 weeks pregnant: Pregnancy Symptoms & Baby Development
11 weeks pregnant: Pregnancy Symptoms & Baby Development
Read time: 6 minutes
11 weeks pregnant is how many months?
Month 3 (Trimester 1)
Baby development at 11 weeks
Many major organs are now in place
Morning sickness
Symptoms like morning sickness should start to ease.
Calcium
Learn all about the importance of calcium in your diet.
Baby development at 11 weeks
How big is my baby? And what does my baby look like?
At 11 weeks pregnant, your baby is about to begin a rapid phase of growth. They’re still only 4-5cm in length, making them the size of a lime. However, they’re growing and developing rapidly: all of the facial bones are now in place, fingers and toes are separating from their webbed beginnings and ear buds take on a more familiar shape1.
Internally, your baby's brain, lungs, liver and kidneys are formed by 11 weeks, but the various body systems will continue to develop throughout your pregnancy2.
Although your baby has already been making jerky movements for some time2, you’re unlikely to feel any kicks until around 17 to 18 weeks, or later if this is your first pregnancy1.
Brighter futures start here
Discover more about infant development to help shape your baby's future
Pregnancy at 11 weeks (first trimester)
Body changes
As your waist begins to thicken you may begin to notice the beginnings of your pregnancy bump. Don’t fret if there’s nothing to see yet, it probably won’t take long before you’re showing.
Pregnancy symptoms at 11 weeks3
Early pregnancy symptoms vary from person to person. At 11 weeks, you may experience symptoms including:
Pregnancy sickness is usually limited to the first trimester. For most women, symptoms peak around weeks 9 to 11 and improve markedly between weeks 12 and 149. For some, pregnancy sickness goes on longer, until around 20 weeks, and acid reflux from the second trimester onwards can also cause nausea and vomiting. Find out more about morning sickness, and how to treat it.
Your first ultrasound
Between 8-14 weeks, you’ll have your first ultrasound. Ultrasound scans use harmless sound waves to show a detailed picture of your baby inside your womb. Neither you or the baby will feel a thing - except a little elation on your part at seeing your child for the first time.
Calcium is essential for the development of bones and teeth so your baby will need quite a bit of it10. Milk is a rich source of calcium, which has several important roles10.
- It regulates muscle contractions, including your baby’s heartbeat
- It helps your blood clot normally
- It contributes to the healthy functioning of muscle tissue and nerves
Your calcium requirements don’t change during pregnancy, but it’s more important that you meet your Recommended Daily Allowance.
Sources of calcium
- Dairy products, including pasteurised milk, cheese and yoghurt
- Some nuts and seeds, especially almonds and sesame seeds
- Beans and pulses
- Figs Spinach
- Tofu Calcium fortified breakfast cereals and white bread
- Calcium fortified drinks such as some soya milks
THE
SCIENCE
BEHIND
CALCIUM
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Widely recognised for its importance in the development of healthy bones and teeth, calcium is an essential nutrient for your baby throughout pregnancy12. Thankfully, it’s easily obtainable from a wide variety of sources.
But calcium supports more than just bones and teeth. It’s used by every single cell and is present in tissues and body fluids. It also has other roles, including helping muscles and nerves function, aiding digestion and enabling blood to clot13. According to one study, a good supply of calcium in pregnancy may help to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia and preterm birth14.
Foods to avoid while pregnant
There's nothing specific to avoid during individual weeks, but throughout your pregnancy, it's wise to give the following a miss:
Raw and undercooked meat
Unpasteurised milk and dairy products
Liver, and excessive consumption of foods high in vitamin A
How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?
Weight gain during pregnancy depends on your pre-pregnancy weight, and varies a great deal from mother to mother. Most women gain between 10kg and 12.5kg (22–28lb) while pregnant, some of which is the weight of the growing baby15.
If you haven’t been to see your GP yet, you should make an appointment so they can start planning your antenatal care, including your first ultrasound scan.
Last reviewed: 03rd December 2019
Reviewed by Nutricia’s Medical and Scientific Affairs Team
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Questions about feeding and nutrition?
Our midwives, nutritionists and feeding advisors are always on hand to talk about feeding your baby. So if you have a question, just get in touch.